Does Medicare pay for health screenings? Regular check ups are like routine maintenance for your car except much more important. Learn about Medicare approved health screenings in about 3 minutes. Updated in 2020.
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Medicare Health Screenings by Telehealth
Due to concerns over COVID-19 many doctors are now using telehealth exams.
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency, doctors and other health care providers can use telehealth services to treat COVID-19 (and for other medically reasonable purposes) from offices, hospitals, and places of residence (like homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities) as of March 6, 2020. Coinsurance and deductibles apply, though some healthcare providers are reducing or waiving the amount you pay for telehealth visits.
If you have coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan, you won’t have to pay out-of-pocket costs (called cost-sharing) for COVID-19 tests. They may also offer more telehealth services than what was included in their approved 2020 benefits
Does Medicare cover physical exams? Will Medicare pay for annual exams? Are lab tests covered?
Let’s review what original Medicare covers with regard to annual exams.
Your Welcome to Medicare exam is available at no charge to you. The exam must be done within the first 12 months following the start of Medicare Part B. Your doctor should know what is covered as well as how to properly code the exam so you have no out of pocket expenses. #WelcomeToMedicareExam
Covered Health Screening
Thereafter you are entitled to a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. Again, your doctor should know what is covered and how to code the exam.
This is a wellness exam, not a diagnostic visit. Your doctor may ask you to complete a form that asks about medical problems you may be experiencing. That is within the norm and should be expected.
Examples of covered health screenings include:
- blood pressure and cholesterol
- height, weight and BMI
- minimal vision health screening
- cognitive impairment testing
- checking your mobility and balance
What is Covered? What Isn’t?
Medicare preventive services
Abdominal aortic artery screening
Alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling
Bone density
Cardiac disease screening
Cervical cancer screening
Chiropractic care
Colorectal cancer screening
CPAP therapy
Diabetes screening and counsel
Glaucoma
Mammogram
Obesity screening and counseling
Prostate cancer screening
Tobacco use counseling
What is NOT covered by Medicare
Cosmetic surgery
Routine vision care
Routine dental care
Hearing aids
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth
Additional Reading
ABN (Advance Beneficiary Notification)
Welcome to Medicare Exam – Annual Wellness Visit
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-and-screening-services.html
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#WelcomeToMedicare #AnnualWellnessVisit #MedicareHealthScreenings
